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December 2003
Volume 4 Number 3
FROM THE EDITORS:
Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays.
The newsletter seems shorter than usual. People must
be busy with holiday preparations. After removing 6
names from the list because they came back unknown and
adding new members, our distribution is now 497.
December Birthdays
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Anne Sullivan Kinsella, 1959 (HX) (need email
address)
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1
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Kathy "Cookie" Koziuk Hannaman, 1960
(FL)
Jim Wise, 1958 (TX)
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3
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Bob Casale, 1961 (HX & PA)
Ruth Olsen Collins, 1956 (L.I.)
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13
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"Murry" Dalaimo (need new email address)
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18
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James Gorman, 1966
Carol Wills Erlwein, 1959 (NY & FL)
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21
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Susan Handwerk Ackerman, 1975
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27
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Marilyn Bowles Nejman, 1966
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A belated Happy Birthday to Paul L. Korman, November
26th.
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December Anniversaries
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12/5/1981 - Kathy "Cookie" (Koziuk)
and Roy Hannaman (FL)
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News and Notes and Memories
Trivia Quiz
Newsletter Spotlight
Reunions
News, Notes and Memories
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Was sorry to hear of the passing of coach Jaworski.
I have a lot of memories of him as our baseball
and football coach. The one memory I will never
forget was when I broke my finger during football
practice in my freshman year. Trying to console
me (with the tip of my finger hanging on by a thread)
as he drove me to the doctor he said, look at me
Charlie I have broke almost all my fingers playing
sports. Also when you have grandchildren you can
tell them you broke it making the touchdown that
won a big game. Of course as everyone knows I didn't
go out for football after that.
Charlie Cava class of '55 Ocala, Florida
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The article on Chet Jaworski was a FWD from John
Ennis '50. I should have mentioned that in the FWD.
Could you make a correction in your next Newsletter?
I don't want classmates thinking I was a teacher
at Hicksville High.
Thanks,
Art
Art is referring to the following:
Chet was coach at Hicksville when I was student,
football, basketball, and baseball. The old days.
Then he was asst principal when I taught there 61-68.
I left Hicksville and saw him at the first Rangers/Islanders
game (exhibition in Nassau coll.). Leo had tickets.
We were damn near last row at the top! Ants would
have looked bigger! Reason I'm sending this to you
is that Chet played for Rhode Island in late 30's
where fast break was 'invented.'
Art Lembke, 1949
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Maybe one of you can answer a question for us.
My husband & I were trying to remember a popular
restaurant on Hempstead Tpk. I think it was in Levittown.
There was Francesco's, Burelli's & that other
one. I think it was Italian & it is no longer
in business. I do remember going on a date there
& getting steak & lobster. So maybe it was
a steak & seafood restaurant. It was there many
years.
Hope you can solve this one for us.
Thanks,
Mary Ann (Walkowski) Westervelt, 1976
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My name is Bob Wesley (Gleason) and I finished
schooling at Hicksville High on Division Ave in
1961. I have traveled the world as a professional
entertainer, and now reside in Dannemora, NY, in
the Adirondack Mountains. I have a Web site about
our little town and you may find it interesting:
http://home.earthlink.net/~junibob
Bob
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Does anyone know the whereabouts of Richard Maus,
class of 1956?
I remember him from Nicholai St. School 4th grade
especially. He had a front desk and every time Mrs.
Miller got upset, she would bang a ruler on Ritchie's
desk.
Pat Koziuk Driscoll, 1956
grandmag@atlantic.net
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Hi folks. Someone had forwarded your newsletter
to me and I was wondering if I could get on your
distribution list. My name is Ira Woods and I graduated
Hicksville High in '67. It's great to be able to
connect to old friends and fond memories. If you
need more information please let me know. Thanks!
All the best,
Ira Woods, 1967
PS- I heard that someone who subscribes to the newsletter
has been attempting to get a reunion together for
those of us living on the West Coast. Would you
know who this person is? I would like to contact
him/her and discuss some ways we can make this happen.
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Trivia Quiz
1. What animal does Julia imitate to make Joan Cusack
happy in RUNAWAY BRIDE?
A: Duckbill Platypus B: Ostrich C: Bunny Rabbit D: Puppy
Dog
2. In the film ERIN BROCKOVICH, Julia makes a comment
about a famous doughnut chain towards Ed's secretary?
Which doughnut chain was it?
A: Dunkin Donut B: Krispy Kreme C: Hostess D: Winchells
3. In PRETTY WOMAN, what does Vivian do to her boots,
in the opening montage, before putting them on?
A: Colors them with a black marker B: Buffs Them C:
Colors them in with shoe polish D: Buys them
4. In THE MEXICAN, what song is playing in the car while
Julia is driving by herself, before James Gandolfini
kidnaps her?
A: Night and Day B: These Boots Are Made For Walking
C: The Lady Is A Tramp D: Grease
5. A type of symbiosis in which both partners benefit
from living together?
A: Hypha B: Budding C: Cilia D: Mutualism
6. A chemical that makes the walls ridged?
A: Cellulose B: Chloroplast C: Chlorophyll D: Frond
7. A boundary that surrounds the cell membrane and separates
the cell from the environment?
A: Cellulose B: Gametophytes C: Cell Wall D: Rhizoid
8. In the Lois and Clark TV show what was Clark's middle
name?
A: Jerome B: Jerry C: James D: Joel
9. Who is the only Lois Lane to star opposite two Supermen?
A: Terri Hatcher B: Margot Kidder C: Noel Neill D: Phyllis
Coates
10. What character did Jack Larson, Jimmy Olsen of the
'50s TV series, play in an episode of Lois & Clark?
A: Perry White's Brother B: Jimmy Olsen's Grandfather
C: Jimmy Olsen D: A News Vendor
Answers
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Newsletter Spotlight
This month we continue the Gerard Dombrowsky Spotlight
we
left off with in October.
Suddenly, the building collapsed with the floors above
the firefighters cascading down pinning them under mounds
of rubble.
The painstaking task of extricating the trapped men
ended with the successful removal of Jerry and five
of his fellow firefighters.
The injuries to Jerry were serious and included a broken
wrist, broken nose, crushed arm, muscle, and ligament
and tendon damage. Additionally, he had a severed brachial
artery, a very serious head injury and various cuts
and abrasions all over his body. A dedicated team of
surgeons spent the next several hours restructuring
the nerves in his arms and setting all his broken bones.
Three months of hospital time were required while the
mending continued. The extensive stay in the hospital
was followed by daily physical therapy. The therapy
was needed just to get him mobile once again. Jerry
was advised he would never have complete use of his
arm and they recommended him for retirement from the
NYFD. Jerry, however, was determined to return to his
job. He worked very hard and, after two years of rehabilitation,
was reinstated to the department. Jerry felt comfortable
knowing he would once again be part of the sustained
effort at protecting the community he cared about.
A new program was established called Hospital Emergency
Liaison Personnel (HELP). Jerry's duties were to visit
fellow firefighters that were hospitalized. He would
help the firefighter and his immediate family at coping
with their injuries. Throughout the time he was working
with HELP, jerry continued a regimen of physical therapy
that allowed him to be returned to full, active duty
as a firefighter.
Jerry continued to achieve. He became an EMT for the
First Responder program, one of the first in the department
to serve in this position. He was promoted to Lieutenant
in 1985 and then to Captain in 1990.
In addition, Jerry volunteers as a fireman in his hometown
of Ronkonkoma, Long Island.
After the events of September 11, 2001, Jerry suffered
the loss of fellow firefighters and friends but continues
to make a positive difference in the world.
He formed an on going committee in the NYFD to help
widows and their families with chores and household
repairs. He is also involved in many other volunteer
efforts in both his hometown and his Brooklyn firehouse
community.
Jerry has lived an exemplary life of service to his
community and serves as an extraordinary example of
a man who refused to give up on life. When speaking
to Hicksville graduates, he shared with them his philosophy
on life. He told graduates to always have a positive
attitude and never give up. He also reminded them, "Life
is precious. Enjoy your lives and live them to the fullest.
Remember to give as much as you get out of life."
Is there a better outlook on life?? I don't think so.
Partially reprinted from the UFSD Bulletin Board
Summer 2003 VOL. II, Issue #38
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Reunions
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Hicksville High School Alumni, Class of 1953, Celebrates
50th Anniversary
The Hicksville High School Class of 1953 gathered
at the Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania,
on September 16th to 19th, 2003, to celebrate its
50th Anniversary. And celebrate we did!
We traveled from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia,
Florida, Texas and California. Classmate, Don Rusch
(brother of the late Ray Rusch, former HHS Principal)
had been the organizing force behind class reunions
every five or ten years at various northeast locations.
At our 40th, Don was looking forward to 2003, our
50th reunion. Sadly, Don died on March 29, 1996.
His widow, Sally, passed Don's records on to Roberta
(Sipf) Obermeyer who along with Pat (Lenzner) Caruso
began plans for our 50th reunion.
An initial letter was sent to all alumni on record,
soliciting interest in a 50th reunion. A list of
missing alumni was included requesting help in locating
them. Contacting the surviving classmates was a
time consuming process. Don's records provided a
significant base, but were at least seven years
old. The Internet and e-mail-unknown in 1953-provided
much help in updating names and addresses. Of 195
classmates, we were able to locate 115, (55 on Long
Island). We learned that at least 20 classmates
died over the past fifty years. Forty-one classmates
attended the reunion plus guests and five alumni
from other classes from 1944 to 1956 for a total
attendance of 77.
Planned to be relaxed and casual, there was no
agenda for the three days except for dinner together
each evening in a private dining room. After dinner,
Steve Moddle was an excellent emcee as he presided
over the informal reminiscences from some classmates.
Ruben Callejas read two timely messages. When he
finished, he asked if anyone knew the authors. Getting
no response, he said the first was by Dr. Erie H.
LeBarron, Superintendent of Schools and the second
by Mabel R. Farley, our Principal. The readings
were from our 1953 Comet yearbook. He asked how
many years passed before we appreciated these fine
mentors.
Bob and Joan Stiehler had visited with Sally Rusch
in Virginia. Sally gave Don's memorabilia from our
days at Hicksville High School to Bob to be given
away at the 50th reunion. Among the items was a
1953 hardcover edition of the Comet Yearbook in
mint condition. It was an emotional moment when
it went to a classmate who did not have a yearbook.
Other items were distributed via raffle tickets,
i.e., HHS socks, hats, HHS letters.. Classmate,
Marcella Yenick, a professional artist from Sag
Harbor, donated a watercolor scene for the raffle.
Other classmates brought copies of the Comet school
newspaper from the fifties free to whoever wanted
them.
A twenty-foot wall contained dozens of photos from
parties, proms and beach days. Steve called members
of the football team and the cheerleaders to come
up for a photo session. The "cheerleaders"
did a very brief routine accompanied by much whistling
and laughter.
Pat Lenzner Caruso and Roberta Sipf Obermeyer received
a standing ovation when presented with a plaque
in appreciation of their many hours of work in planning
and organizing our 50th Reunion. They graciously
acknowledged the accolades including their husbands,
Vinnie Caruso and Bob Obermeyer who assisted them.
They said the obvious success was due to all who
responded and was beyond their expectations.
Memories revived, addresses and phone numbers exchanged
and friendships renewed sum up the best of our reunion
to date. The torch was passed to Bob and Joan Stiehler
to organize the next reunion for the Class of 1953
in 2005. Hopefully, those who could not attend this
year's reunion will join us in 2005.
Denward W. Collins, Jr.
Class of 1953
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Dear Classmates
(Class of 1961+)
We know it's awhile until the reunion next May,
but it's not too early to obligate or at least say,
"I might make it." We are starting a listing
of those who have said yes
some have already
paid
. Here we go
Mike Bisaccio
Bill Canham
Bob Casale
Linda D'Amato (Liparota)
Pat Hunchick (Sadowski)
Elaine Krauss (O'Neill)
Lillian Manzo (Ramirez)
Rob McCotter
Mary O'Shaughnessey (Cleary)
There are many suggesting they might be there but
nothing positive yet. Drop a note to anyone on the
reunion committee.
Thanks
Mike Bisaccio TerMik@aol.com
Bill Canham whcanham@msn.com
Bob Casale bufbob@juno.com
Lillian Manzo lillianramirez@realtyexecutivesphx.com
Mary O'Shaughnessey mcleary876@aol.com
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Answers to Trivia Quiz
1. A. Duckbill Platypus
2. B. Krispy Kreme
3. A. Colors them with a black magic marker
4. B. These Boots Are Made For Walking
5. D. Mutualism
6. A. Cellulose
7. C. Cell Wall
8. A. Jerome
9. C. Noel Neill
10. C. Jimmy Olsen
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Pat Koziuk Driscoll, 1956, FL
Linda Piccerelli Hayden, 1960, NJ
Bob Casale, 1961, HX and PA
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